Why are individuals with intellectual disabilities not allowed to be sentenced to death?(1 point) Responses Roper v. Simmons found this sentencing to be unconstitutional. Roper v. Simmons found this sentencing to be unconstitutional. It is considered cruel and unusual, because by the nature of their diagnosis, these individuals have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes. It is considered cruel and unusual, because by the nature of their diagnosis, these individuals have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes. They are not over the age of 18, so they cannot understand the severity of their crimes. They are not over the age of 18, so they cannot understand the severity of their crimes. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to be sentenced to death for homicide. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to be sentenced to death for homicide. Skip to navigation page 25 of 25
The correct response is: It is considered cruel and unusual, because by the nature of their diagnosis, these individuals have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes.
The reason why individuals with intellectual disabilities are not allowed to be sentenced to death is because it is considered cruel and unusual under the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This was established in the case of Roper v. Simmons, where the Supreme Court found that the sentencing of individuals with intellectual disabilities to death is unconstitutional.
It is considered cruel and unusual because individuals with intellectual disabilities have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes due to the nature of their diagnosis. Additionally, they may not be over the age of 18, which further affects their understanding of the consequences of their actions.
Furthermore, it should be noted that individuals with intellectual disabilities can only be sentenced to death if they commit homicide, as this is the specific criteria for this sentencing.
The correct answer is: It is considered cruel and unusual, because by the nature of their diagnosis, these individuals have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are not allowed to be sentenced to death primarily because it is considered cruel and unusual punishment. This determination was reinforced by the United States Supreme Court's decision in Roper v. Simmons, which found the application of the death penalty to individuals with intellectual disabilities to be unconstitutional. The Court ruled that executing intellectually disabled individuals violates the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
The rationale behind this decision is that individuals with intellectual disabilities often have a diminished capacity to understand the severity of their actions and may not fully comprehend the consequences of their crimes. This diminished capacity undermines the underlying principles of punishment and retribution that are typically associated with the death penalty.
Furthermore, the Court concluded that the execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities serves no legitimate penological purpose and does not contribute to the goals of deterrence or public safety. Instead, it would amount to the unnecessary and gratuitous imposition of suffering on a vulnerable population.
Therefore, individuals with intellectual disabilities are exempt from the death penalty due to the recognition that their diminished cognitive abilities impact their understanding and culpability for their actions.